49ers’ Frank Gore not worried about competition

During Frank Gore’s seven seasons in San Francisco, his backups have not posed a serious threat to his playing time.

Understudies such as Michael Robinson, DeShaun Foster and Glenn Coffee were available to offer rarely needed breathers for the running back famously known as the bell cow of the 49ers‘ offense.

This season, however, the complexion of the backfield could be dramatically different. The 49ers have signed power back Brandon Jacobs and used a second-round pick on Oregon’s LaMichael James. That duo will join Gore and Kendall Hunter, last year’s fourth-round pick who averaged 4.2 yards a carry and had 668 total yards.

Still, Gore, who ranks third in the NFL in rushing attempts since 2006, said he’s not worried about the division of labor in a now congested backfield.

“Not at all,” Gore said after the 49ers’ practice Tuesday. “As long as I’m in great shape, I’m going to be the Frank Gore I’ve always been.”

Dogged by knee and ankle injuries, Gore, who turned 29 last week, wasn’t in top form during the latter stages of last season. After reeling off a franchise-record five straight 100-yard games, he averaged 59.2 yards and 3.9 yards a carry in the final 10 games, including the playoffs. He also didn’t have a 100-yard game, the longest such drought since his rookie season.

Gore skipped the Pro Bowl and took about six weeks off to let his body recover after the season.

“I took a little longer this time because we played a little longer last year,” Gore said. “I had a few more bumps and bruises to get back together. So I took a little longer. Now my body is starting to get back.”

Gore is taking part in the team’s offseason conditioning program this year after working out in Miami throughout his career. Gore reportedly has a $400,000 workout bonus as part of the three-year, $21 million extension he signed last year.

“Change is good at times,” Gore said. “… I get here at 6 in morning to get that one-on-one workout. So I’m going to be out here until minicamp (in June) is over, go home and get in more shape. Then I’ll come back out and get ready for the season.”